transom repair or replace?

[hugo]

ok i spoke with Don from Hermco and i would love to just drop of my boat but in my world i just cant afford to right now. So heres a couple pics of my problem. my question is could this be the result of the previous owner removing the baitwell and not extending the stringer all the way back to the transom and tieing it in? its the only sighn of stress i have on the transom that i can see. Can i add the missing stringer section to stop the flexing causing the crack or am i wishing out loud? need opinions

[Caymanboy]

I don't think you said what year the boat is, but from looking at the stringers, it appears pre 1973.
Bringing the one stringer back certainly would help. It also appears the transom was replaced but they didn't go all the way to the corners. Have you drilled the old wood by the corners and seen if it is wet? Doesn't look like they use enough FRP buildup.
Taking those stringers up the transom, (knee, gussets) would help. You need to make sure they used enough glass to bond the plywood, etc all together.

[hugo]

just wanted to say thanks for the info, it is a 73 your dead on. my biggest consern was safty as i have the family with me so i am getting closer to biteing the bullet and replace the entire transom rather than try and patch it. my biggest fear is this thing opening up on the water one day and losing more than my boat. i hate to do it since we havent had it long and were realy looking forward to using it alot. hope it wont take to long. im gonna have to do it my self as prices for this work is about half what i paid for the boat.